Pasadena’s claim to fame is the always-sunny New Year’s Day Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl, but this city’s roots, like much of the Valley, are in agriculture. Pioneers who came to this area in the late 1800s found success growing oranges and olives, and named their community

Pasadena (“Crown of the Valley”). By the turn of the 20th century, the town had become a winter retreat for wealthy Midwesterners such as David B. Gamble of Procter & Gamble and William Wrigley Jr. Through the next several decades it was known as a quiet, pretty, and conservative place in which to raise a family.

Over the past few years, a revitalized “old town” has sparked new interest in the area. Colorado Boulevard is Pasadena’s main artery, and the heart of Old Pasadena. The city’s original business district, Old Pasadena is bounded by Pasadena Ave., Walnut St., Arroyo Parkway, and Green Street; newly renovated historic buildings offer a unique array of retailers, art galleries, movie theaters, antique shops, restaurants and offices. On weekend nights, the sidewalks are brimming with people. The outdoor pedestrian mall, Paseo Colorado, opened in 2002, adds to the area’s hopping possibilities.

Those arriving in Pasadena via the 134 Ventura Freeway are greeted by a magnificent view of the intricate and recently restored Colorado Street Bridge. Carefully preserved, turn-of-the-century homes grace the streets, and Pasadena residents take pride in the city’s small town atmosphere. At first glance, single-family homes appear to make up the majority of the residential offerings; however, about half of the city’s residents are renters. Most homes were built in the 1950’s, with about 30 percent constructed before 1939. Housing prices in Pasadena start at about the county median and go up from there. The neighborhood is clean, palm tree-lined, with plenty of grassy front yards. Pasadena is a lovely place to own a home. Twenty-three square miles in size, it has an average of nine residences per acre.

Community resources and information: Norton Simon Museum, 411 West Colorado Blvd., 626-449-6840, www.nortonsimon.org; Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, 626-405-2100, www.huntington.org; Pacific Asia Museum, 46 North Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, 626-449-2742, www.pacificasiamuseum.org; Tournament House & Wrigley Gardens, 391 South Orange Grove Blvd., 626-449-4100, www.tournamentofroses.com; Rose Bowl, 991 Rosemont Blvd., Pasadena, 626-577-3100, www.rosebowlstadium.com; Brookside Park, 360 North Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena; Pasadena Human Services & Recreation Department, 626-744-4000, www.ci.pasadena.ca.us; California Institute of Technology, 1201 East California Blvd., Pasadena, 626-359-6811, www.caltech.edu

For more information: www.ci.pasadena.ca.us. www.pasadenacal.com, www.ci.south-pasadena.ca.us, www.cityofsanmarino.org, www.aaaim.com/Altadena, www.lacounty.info